Drought cuts Thai sugar output to 9-year low
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/18 ... 9-year-low
PUNE, India: Sugar production in Thailand is expected to fall 28% to a nine-year low of 10.5 million tonnes in the current crop season as drought curtails cane supplies, according to Rangsit Hiangrat, director-general of Thai Sugar Millers Corp.
The reduced production for 2019-20 will limit shipments from the world’s second-biggest sugar exporter and support global prices which are trading near their highest level in 30 months.
The country could export between 6 million and 7 million tonnes of sugar in the current year, down from 11 million a year ago, Mr Rangsit told Reuters.
“Drought has badly affected cane plantations. It will have a negative impact on production this year and next year,” he said.
Sugar production in the next marketing year starting in October 2020 could fall below 10 million tonnes, he added.
The dry season started in November and usually lasts through April, although this year authorities say it could persist into June. A drought has been declared in 14 provinces in the central, northern and northeastern regions.
With reservoir levels low, the government has also asked farmers in some provinces near the Chao Phraya River basin not to grow off-season rice.
Sugar mills usually crush cane until early May, but this year they could stop crushing in early March due to limited supplies of cane, Mr Rangsit said.
Like Thailand, India’s sugar production could fall nearly 18% in 2019-20 as a drought followed by floods is expected to curtail output in the country’s second-biggest producing state, a trade body said on Friday.
Raw sugar futures prices are expected to rise a further 3% by the end of the year, boosted by a tightening in supplies, a Reuters poll of 12 traders and analysts showed on Friday.
Thailand Droughts Thread
Re: Thailand Drought 2019-20
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Re: Thailand Drought 2019-20
Drought disasters in 20 provinces, 116 districts
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30381716
Drought disasters were declared in 116 districts across the country between October 17 and February 6, legally obliging the government’s assistance, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported on Thursday (February 6).
The disaster areas were in 20 provinces – Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Uttaradit, Sukhothai, Phetchabun, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon, Kalasin, Maha Sarakham, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Suphan Buri, Kanchanaburi and Chachoengsao.
The National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command Centre has instructed every province to use several means to prevent and respond to severe drought, including water survey and water-consumption management.
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30381716
Drought disasters were declared in 116 districts across the country between October 17 and February 6, legally obliging the government’s assistance, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported on Thursday (February 6).
The disaster areas were in 20 provinces – Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Uttaradit, Sukhothai, Phetchabun, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon, Kalasin, Maha Sarakham, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Suphan Buri, Kanchanaburi and Chachoengsao.
The National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command Centre has instructed every province to use several means to prevent and respond to severe drought, including water survey and water-consumption management.
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Re: Thailand Drought 2019-20
Thailand tackles worst drought in 40 years
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/18 ... n-40-years
Thailand has been hit with what may be its worst drought in 40 years, pummelling sugar production in one of the world's biggest exporters of the sweetener.
Sugar output may tumble about 30% to 9 million-10 million tonnes, while cane output is forecast to fall below 90 million tonnes from about 130 million in the previous season because of the dry weather, according to an industry body.
"It's worse than we thought," Sirivuthi Siamphakdee, vice-chairman of Thai Sugar Millers Corp, said yesterday. "This will likely be our worst season in five years."
The severe drought is adding pressure to Thailand's struggling economy and its agricultural sector, which employs 11 million people. It may also further raise global sugar prices that have surged about 35% in the last five months on concerns that adverse weather is threatening crops from India to Mexico.
Thailand's main economic crops -- rice, rubber and sugar -- are already hurting from a long period of dryness. Adding to woes are the country's slowing exports, a delay in government budget spending and an 80% decrease in Chinese visitors, a top source of foreign receipts in an industry that makes up more than a fifth of the economy.
The 2020 drought is expected to cost the country 46 billion baht, or 0.27% of GDP, according to Bank of Ayudhya's Krungsri Research.
"Critically low levels imply risk of water shortages in many areas" the bank said in a note. "The effects will be felt not just within the agriculture industry but also in the industrial sector."
Not sure just why this is here:
Meanwhile, Gulf Energy Development Plc is confident that its power plants will be able to meet the 10% water reduction target set by the government in response to the ongoing drought.
The company said that in 2015, when the water shortage in rivers and dams was at a critical level, power plants in the group were able to manage water usage effectively.
Under current conditions, Gulf is confident of operating its plants effectively, the company said in a filing with the Stock Exchange of Thailand.
Gulf said it has prepared for such an event since 2019 and has had discussions with government agencies such as the Royal Irrigation Department and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand.
The company has also provided guidelines for water management in various industrial estates in which the company's power plants are located, instilling confidence in all parties that the industrial estates and factories will jointly manage the water shortage and have enough water until the rainy season.
The power plants have gradually stored water in reservoirs, up to full capacity at each reservoir. Gulf said the drought situation should not affect operating results and the overall operations of the group.
Aside from managing water resources, the small private power plants owned by Gulf can also sell electricity and steam to industrial customers continuously.
In 2020, the company plans to sell 6-7% of the electricity it generates to industrial customers, generating a stable income from both government and industrial clients.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/18 ... n-40-years
Thailand has been hit with what may be its worst drought in 40 years, pummelling sugar production in one of the world's biggest exporters of the sweetener.
Sugar output may tumble about 30% to 9 million-10 million tonnes, while cane output is forecast to fall below 90 million tonnes from about 130 million in the previous season because of the dry weather, according to an industry body.
"It's worse than we thought," Sirivuthi Siamphakdee, vice-chairman of Thai Sugar Millers Corp, said yesterday. "This will likely be our worst season in five years."
The severe drought is adding pressure to Thailand's struggling economy and its agricultural sector, which employs 11 million people. It may also further raise global sugar prices that have surged about 35% in the last five months on concerns that adverse weather is threatening crops from India to Mexico.
Thailand's main economic crops -- rice, rubber and sugar -- are already hurting from a long period of dryness. Adding to woes are the country's slowing exports, a delay in government budget spending and an 80% decrease in Chinese visitors, a top source of foreign receipts in an industry that makes up more than a fifth of the economy.
The 2020 drought is expected to cost the country 46 billion baht, or 0.27% of GDP, according to Bank of Ayudhya's Krungsri Research.
"Critically low levels imply risk of water shortages in many areas" the bank said in a note. "The effects will be felt not just within the agriculture industry but also in the industrial sector."
Not sure just why this is here:
Meanwhile, Gulf Energy Development Plc is confident that its power plants will be able to meet the 10% water reduction target set by the government in response to the ongoing drought.
The company said that in 2015, when the water shortage in rivers and dams was at a critical level, power plants in the group were able to manage water usage effectively.
Under current conditions, Gulf is confident of operating its plants effectively, the company said in a filing with the Stock Exchange of Thailand.
Gulf said it has prepared for such an event since 2019 and has had discussions with government agencies such as the Royal Irrigation Department and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand.
The company has also provided guidelines for water management in various industrial estates in which the company's power plants are located, instilling confidence in all parties that the industrial estates and factories will jointly manage the water shortage and have enough water until the rainy season.
The power plants have gradually stored water in reservoirs, up to full capacity at each reservoir. Gulf said the drought situation should not affect operating results and the overall operations of the group.
Aside from managing water resources, the small private power plants owned by Gulf can also sell electricity and steam to industrial customers continuously.
In 2020, the company plans to sell 6-7% of the electricity it generates to industrial customers, generating a stable income from both government and industrial clients.
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!
Re: Thailand Drought 2019-20
We tend to forget the other crisis here. Photos and video at link: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... by-drought
Raft people's lives parched by drought
NAKHON SAWAN: Raft people in this central province have been living high and dry for about five months now - an indication of the severity of the drought that has spread to more than two dozen provinces.
Saifon Detchom lives on a raft in Klong Bang Phra Luang in Muang district. She said the dry season this year is the worst in recent memory - and is making her life miserable.
"Life is very difficult," said Ms Saifon, sitting on deck surrounding her grounded "floating" house. "The canal has never dried up like this before. I cannot even bathe in the canal."
Klong Bang Phra Luang receives water from the Yom River, but the canal has been dry since November last year. The river does not have enough water to feed its tributaries.
Tambon Bang Phra Luang in Muang district, about 25 kilometres north of the Nakhon Sawan municipality, has 723 households, 30 of them normally floating in the canal. These raft people use the canal water for bathing, while tap water is provided by the Bang Phra Luang tambon administration organisation.
"About half of the 30 floating houses are totally affected by the drought," TAO chief Thepporn Ratchakit said. The others have water from time to time, as the rafts are moored in a deeper part of the canal, he added.
The drought this year was the worst he had experienced since 1994, and things were likely to get worse with the peak of the hot, summer season in April.
"We will help them as best we can, they will at least have tap water," Mr Thepporn said.
Nakhon Sawan is one of the 22 provinces that have been declared disaster areas by the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, which frees funds and resources to give them urgent assistance. But it covers only some areas in the provinces, those that are suffering the most.
The Meteorological Department has said the country is facing the worst drought in four decades, in all regions, due to rainfall being less than expected last year. The weather agency expects the big dry to last until the end of June.
Rice is the main cash crop of the people of tambon Bang Phra Luang, and the drought spells trouble for them.
The Economic Intelligence Centre (EIC) has said off-season rice is one crop most likely to be affected by the drought. But sugar cane and cassava planters will be hurt too.
"Water shortages in the central region, a key region for off-season cultivation, will hurt the output of off-season rice," the research branch of Siam Commercial Bank Plc said in a note. The think-tank expected the harvest season crop to drop to 29 million tonnes, from 33 million tonnes a year, as a result of the drought.
The EIC also expects the incomes of rice, sugar cane and cassava growers to drop this year, due to lower production, and that will affect other businesses relying on the money in the pockets of farmers - from seeds to motorcycle sales.
As for Ms Saifon, she's worried. With no water to grow food, or for daily use.
"I don't even have water for my rice field anymore," she says, with a sigh.
Raft people's lives parched by drought
NAKHON SAWAN: Raft people in this central province have been living high and dry for about five months now - an indication of the severity of the drought that has spread to more than two dozen provinces.
Saifon Detchom lives on a raft in Klong Bang Phra Luang in Muang district. She said the dry season this year is the worst in recent memory - and is making her life miserable.
"Life is very difficult," said Ms Saifon, sitting on deck surrounding her grounded "floating" house. "The canal has never dried up like this before. I cannot even bathe in the canal."
Klong Bang Phra Luang receives water from the Yom River, but the canal has been dry since November last year. The river does not have enough water to feed its tributaries.
Tambon Bang Phra Luang in Muang district, about 25 kilometres north of the Nakhon Sawan municipality, has 723 households, 30 of them normally floating in the canal. These raft people use the canal water for bathing, while tap water is provided by the Bang Phra Luang tambon administration organisation.
"About half of the 30 floating houses are totally affected by the drought," TAO chief Thepporn Ratchakit said. The others have water from time to time, as the rafts are moored in a deeper part of the canal, he added.
The drought this year was the worst he had experienced since 1994, and things were likely to get worse with the peak of the hot, summer season in April.
"We will help them as best we can, they will at least have tap water," Mr Thepporn said.
Nakhon Sawan is one of the 22 provinces that have been declared disaster areas by the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, which frees funds and resources to give them urgent assistance. But it covers only some areas in the provinces, those that are suffering the most.
The Meteorological Department has said the country is facing the worst drought in four decades, in all regions, due to rainfall being less than expected last year. The weather agency expects the big dry to last until the end of June.
Rice is the main cash crop of the people of tambon Bang Phra Luang, and the drought spells trouble for them.
The Economic Intelligence Centre (EIC) has said off-season rice is one crop most likely to be affected by the drought. But sugar cane and cassava planters will be hurt too.
"Water shortages in the central region, a key region for off-season cultivation, will hurt the output of off-season rice," the research branch of Siam Commercial Bank Plc said in a note. The think-tank expected the harvest season crop to drop to 29 million tonnes, from 33 million tonnes a year, as a result of the drought.
The EIC also expects the incomes of rice, sugar cane and cassava growers to drop this year, due to lower production, and that will affect other businesses relying on the money in the pockets of farmers - from seeds to motorcycle sales.
As for Ms Saifon, she's worried. With no water to grow food, or for daily use.
"I don't even have water for my rice field anymore," she says, with a sigh.
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Re: Thailand Drought 2019-20
Thailand’s reservoirs and dams reaching critically low levels
https://thethaiger.com/thai-life/thaila ... ical-level
The start of the annual wet season isn’t far away, maybe this month, but Thailand’s water sources are running on empty.
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported today, that Thailand has seen a large drop of useable water in dams and reservoirs by an average of 30% of their capacity, due to the lack of rain in the first three months of the year.
“21 dams in provinces of Lampang, Tak, Uttaradit, Chiang Mai, Uthai Thani, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Udon Thani, Buriram, Suphan Buri, Lop Buri, Chachoengsao, Nakhon Nayok, Chonburi and Rayong have reported critically low water levels. Meanwhile, 187 reservoirs nationwide also reported water levels at below 30% including 50 reservoirs in the North, 100 in the Northeast, 33 in Central and four in the South.”
“It is expected that 6,065 villages in 139 districts and 714 subdistricts are currently being affected by the drought.”
So far there have been reports that 23 provinces declared as drought areas requiring emergency financial support by the Ministry of Finance. These provinces include Phayao, Nan, Chiang Rai, Uttaradit, Sukhothai, Phetchaboon, Uthai Thani, Nongkhai, Nakhon Sawan, Beung Kan, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Kalasin, Mahasarakham, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buriram, Chaiyaphum, Sisaket, Chainat, Kanjanaburi, Suphanburi, Chachoengsao, and Prachinburi.
Phuket reservoirs are also at critically low levels, only surviving because of the drop in tourists to the island since January.
Songkran, the Thai New Year, on April 13, is usually the annual celebration of the end of the country’s hot season and the start of the annual wet season. The formal celebrations for Songkran have been postponed by the Thai government.
https://thethaiger.com/thai-life/thaila ... ical-level
The start of the annual wet season isn’t far away, maybe this month, but Thailand’s water sources are running on empty.
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported today, that Thailand has seen a large drop of useable water in dams and reservoirs by an average of 30% of their capacity, due to the lack of rain in the first three months of the year.
“21 dams in provinces of Lampang, Tak, Uttaradit, Chiang Mai, Uthai Thani, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Udon Thani, Buriram, Suphan Buri, Lop Buri, Chachoengsao, Nakhon Nayok, Chonburi and Rayong have reported critically low water levels. Meanwhile, 187 reservoirs nationwide also reported water levels at below 30% including 50 reservoirs in the North, 100 in the Northeast, 33 in Central and four in the South.”
“It is expected that 6,065 villages in 139 districts and 714 subdistricts are currently being affected by the drought.”
So far there have been reports that 23 provinces declared as drought areas requiring emergency financial support by the Ministry of Finance. These provinces include Phayao, Nan, Chiang Rai, Uttaradit, Sukhothai, Phetchaboon, Uthai Thani, Nongkhai, Nakhon Sawan, Beung Kan, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Kalasin, Mahasarakham, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buriram, Chaiyaphum, Sisaket, Chainat, Kanjanaburi, Suphanburi, Chachoengsao, and Prachinburi.
Phuket reservoirs are also at critically low levels, only surviving because of the drop in tourists to the island since January.
Songkran, the Thai New Year, on April 13, is usually the annual celebration of the end of the country’s hot season and the start of the annual wet season. The formal celebrations for Songkran have been postponed by the Thai government.
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Re: Thailand Drought 2019-20
Doubt all the handwashing at present is helping the situation
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handdrummer
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Re: Thailand Drought 2019-20
Doubt all the handwashing at present is helping the situation
And people watering their lawns and topping up their swimming pools.
And people watering their lawns and topping up their swimming pools.
Re: Thailand Drought 2019-20
Drought adding to coronavirus woes
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... virus-woes
Water sought to ensure policy of social distancing succeeds
Thailand is struggling to cope with a worsening seasonal drought, which is forecast to last until July, as the country continues its fight to contain the coronavirus outbreak.
Up to 6,255 villages in 24 provinces have already been declared drought-affected areas, while the dams and reserves are only 49% full. Of that, only 26% of the water can actually be used, a meeting of the Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) was told on Monday.
The video conference was headed by Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon.
Several areas are already facing severe water shortages, the meeting was told.
Gen Prawit stressed the need for the ONWR and other concerned state agencies to speed up integrating their work to ensure that every household has sufficient access to clean water during the long dry spell.
That would back the government's policy of urging people to remain at home to stop the spread of Covid-19, said Gen Prawit.
He also ordered a ramp-up in artesian-well drilling to bolster supply to drought-hit communities, as well assure the continuity of businesses and the government's flagship Eastern Economic Corridor.
The Royal Irrigation Department has so far found and supplied 15.3 billion cubic metres of water to drought-affected areas, accounting for 87% of the water required under the department's 2019-2020 drought-management plan, said Thongplew Kongchan, the department's director-general.
In the northern province of Phrae, for instance, those villagers keeping fresh water fish in 10 large floating baskets in a medium-sized reservoir in Rong Kwang district were being forced to sell off their stock as the reservoir is depleting rapidly.
Witthaya Takham, an assistant village head of Moo 14 village in tambon Ban Wiang, said more water needed to be released from the reservoir to supply farmers in the downstream areas.
Pramuan Phongthaworadet, a Democrat Party MP for Prachuap Khiri Khan, meanwhile, said the drought in Bang Saphan district had particularly intensified.
Several tambons in the district have begun encountering shortages of drinking water and water for irrigation, he said. Some 3,200 rai of durian plantations have been hit by the shortages, said Mr Pramuan.
In tambon Ron Thong, for example, Khlong Loi reservoir, with capacity of 210,000 cubic metres, has already dried up due to the long dry spell, he said.
The pushed the tambon Ron Thong administration organisation to send out water tanks to help irrigate the durain plantations, said Mr Pramuan.
The water shortage situation in tambon Ban Krut municipality, a popular seaside tourist attraction in Prachuap Khiri Khan, is faring no better, he said, adding efforts were underway to increase access to water there.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... virus-woes
Water sought to ensure policy of social distancing succeeds
Thailand is struggling to cope with a worsening seasonal drought, which is forecast to last until July, as the country continues its fight to contain the coronavirus outbreak.
Up to 6,255 villages in 24 provinces have already been declared drought-affected areas, while the dams and reserves are only 49% full. Of that, only 26% of the water can actually be used, a meeting of the Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) was told on Monday.
The video conference was headed by Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon.
Several areas are already facing severe water shortages, the meeting was told.
Gen Prawit stressed the need for the ONWR and other concerned state agencies to speed up integrating their work to ensure that every household has sufficient access to clean water during the long dry spell.
That would back the government's policy of urging people to remain at home to stop the spread of Covid-19, said Gen Prawit.
He also ordered a ramp-up in artesian-well drilling to bolster supply to drought-hit communities, as well assure the continuity of businesses and the government's flagship Eastern Economic Corridor.
The Royal Irrigation Department has so far found and supplied 15.3 billion cubic metres of water to drought-affected areas, accounting for 87% of the water required under the department's 2019-2020 drought-management plan, said Thongplew Kongchan, the department's director-general.
In the northern province of Phrae, for instance, those villagers keeping fresh water fish in 10 large floating baskets in a medium-sized reservoir in Rong Kwang district were being forced to sell off their stock as the reservoir is depleting rapidly.
Witthaya Takham, an assistant village head of Moo 14 village in tambon Ban Wiang, said more water needed to be released from the reservoir to supply farmers in the downstream areas.
Pramuan Phongthaworadet, a Democrat Party MP for Prachuap Khiri Khan, meanwhile, said the drought in Bang Saphan district had particularly intensified.
Several tambons in the district have begun encountering shortages of drinking water and water for irrigation, he said. Some 3,200 rai of durian plantations have been hit by the shortages, said Mr Pramuan.
In tambon Ron Thong, for example, Khlong Loi reservoir, with capacity of 210,000 cubic metres, has already dried up due to the long dry spell, he said.
The pushed the tambon Ron Thong administration organisation to send out water tanks to help irrigate the durain plantations, said Mr Pramuan.
The water shortage situation in tambon Ban Krut municipality, a popular seaside tourist attraction in Prachuap Khiri Khan, is faring no better, he said, adding efforts were underway to increase access to water there.
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!
Re: Thailand Drought 2019-20
So much for buddying up to the Chinese govt.
The worst drought in living memory has been exacerbated by Chinese dams withholding water
One of the worst droughts in the last 40 years in Thailand has been exacerbated by the Chinese government which has been intentionally holding water in its Mekong river dams, a new study says.
“The severe lack of water in the Lower Mekong during the wet season of 2019 was largely influenced by the restriction of water flowing from the upper Mekong during that time,” according to a new study commissioned by the Lower Mekong Initiative and Sustainable Infrastructure Partnership and carried out by Eyes on Earth, Inc.
Full Story
https://www.thaienquirer.com/11360/the- ... ing-water/
The worst drought in living memory has been exacerbated by Chinese dams withholding water
One of the worst droughts in the last 40 years in Thailand has been exacerbated by the Chinese government which has been intentionally holding water in its Mekong river dams, a new study says.
“The severe lack of water in the Lower Mekong during the wet season of 2019 was largely influenced by the restriction of water flowing from the upper Mekong during that time,” according to a new study commissioned by the Lower Mekong Initiative and Sustainable Infrastructure Partnership and carried out by Eyes on Earth, Inc.
Full Story
https://www.thaienquirer.com/11360/the- ... ing-water/
“Never argue with an idiot. They will only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.”
― George Carlin
“The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it.” -George Orwell.
― George Carlin
“The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it.” -George Orwell.
Re: Thailand Drought 2019-20
Reservoir drying up, 800 homes at risk
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... es-at-risk
NAKHON RATCHASIMA: The water level at Huay Bong reservoir in Chum Phuang district, which supplies more than 800 households, is at only 1% of its holding capacity, the lowest in 15 years.
Officials have closed all sluice gates of the reservoir in tambon Prasuk and stopped supplying water to farmland downstream.
The reservoir has only 1% of its designed capacity of 25 million cubic metres because of the low rainfall this year, an official said.
Water remaining in the reservoir would be kept for use by the more than 800 households in tambon Prasuk that rely on it.
However, residents fear there will not be enough. With the reservoir at it lowest level in 15 years, unless there is rain in the next couple of weeks, the outlook for them is not good.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... es-at-risk
NAKHON RATCHASIMA: The water level at Huay Bong reservoir in Chum Phuang district, which supplies more than 800 households, is at only 1% of its holding capacity, the lowest in 15 years.
Officials have closed all sluice gates of the reservoir in tambon Prasuk and stopped supplying water to farmland downstream.
The reservoir has only 1% of its designed capacity of 25 million cubic metres because of the low rainfall this year, an official said.
Water remaining in the reservoir would be kept for use by the more than 800 households in tambon Prasuk that rely on it.
However, residents fear there will not be enough. With the reservoir at it lowest level in 15 years, unless there is rain in the next couple of weeks, the outlook for them is not good.
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!
Re: Thailand Drought 2019-20
China's drain on Mekong
https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opi ... g#cxrecs_s
More water discharged from Chinese dams to the lower Mekong River in the dry season and less water in the rainy season. That means a reduction of drought and flooding in the lower Mekong countries. That was the ideal "cooperation" Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam expected from China. In reality, China seems to have done the opposite.
A new study, conducted by Eyes on Earth Inc, vividly points out that China turned off its taps on the upper stretches of the river last year as it enjoyed higher than usual precipitation due to heavy rainfall and snowmelt. Its action resulted in an unusually severe drought in the four Mekong countries downstream.
Citing data derived from satellite imagery, remote sensing processes and water levels gauged on a stretch of the Mekong in Thailand's Chiang Rai province, the study shows that from April to September 2019 China's 11 dams blocked or restricted water more than ever before, causing the lowest water levels in 50 years on the lower Mekong. Had it let the water run its course, the four countries could have enjoyed above-average water volume.
The study also shows that the 11 Chinese dams have stored a high volume of water over the past three decades.
China has never been open about how much water it has withheld or released from its reservoirs since it started building dams on the Mekong, known as Lancang there, in the 1990s.
In the wake of the study released on Monday, China disputed the findings, insisting it has guaranteed a reasonable discharge of water. Nobody will buy its defence as long as it offers no transparency on its use of Mekong water upstream. If China wants to prove it did not impound water at the cost of Thai, Lao, Cambodian and Vietnamese people, it should have shared comprehensive information on its storage and discharge of water.
The findings from the study have indicated that sudden floods on the lower Mekong in the past years could be attributed to China's regulation of the Mekong flow -- discharging overabundant water to avoid floods in the Lancang stretches.
Since China started building dams, many worried that it could impound water from the downstream countries whose citizens rely on the river as their sources of food and income. When Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam formed the Mekong River Commission (MRC) to cooperate on development in the basin, China did not join it. Beijing merely became a "Dialogue Partner" of the MRC from 2002. And its only tangible cooperation with the MRC is the sharing of data on water levels from its two monitoring stations on the Lancang only during the wet season.
True, the rise in the severity and frequency of drought and floods on the lower Mekong could also be partly caused by the changing climate. But the study shows that it was largely caused by China stocking up on water.
Becoming an MRC member could have forced China to be more transparent about its water use and share all information on its water levels. China must have been aware that it would mean opening a Pandora's box. So it established the so-called Mekong-Lancang Cooperation, an alternative platform which it can control and manipulate.
Given that it has expanded its trade and geopolitical power in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia, China should have treated these countries as its partners and friends by starting to tell them exactly how much water it has been impounding and discharging from the mighty Mekong.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opi ... g#cxrecs_s
More water discharged from Chinese dams to the lower Mekong River in the dry season and less water in the rainy season. That means a reduction of drought and flooding in the lower Mekong countries. That was the ideal "cooperation" Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam expected from China. In reality, China seems to have done the opposite.
A new study, conducted by Eyes on Earth Inc, vividly points out that China turned off its taps on the upper stretches of the river last year as it enjoyed higher than usual precipitation due to heavy rainfall and snowmelt. Its action resulted in an unusually severe drought in the four Mekong countries downstream.
Citing data derived from satellite imagery, remote sensing processes and water levels gauged on a stretch of the Mekong in Thailand's Chiang Rai province, the study shows that from April to September 2019 China's 11 dams blocked or restricted water more than ever before, causing the lowest water levels in 50 years on the lower Mekong. Had it let the water run its course, the four countries could have enjoyed above-average water volume.
The study also shows that the 11 Chinese dams have stored a high volume of water over the past three decades.
China has never been open about how much water it has withheld or released from its reservoirs since it started building dams on the Mekong, known as Lancang there, in the 1990s.
In the wake of the study released on Monday, China disputed the findings, insisting it has guaranteed a reasonable discharge of water. Nobody will buy its defence as long as it offers no transparency on its use of Mekong water upstream. If China wants to prove it did not impound water at the cost of Thai, Lao, Cambodian and Vietnamese people, it should have shared comprehensive information on its storage and discharge of water.
The findings from the study have indicated that sudden floods on the lower Mekong in the past years could be attributed to China's regulation of the Mekong flow -- discharging overabundant water to avoid floods in the Lancang stretches.
Since China started building dams, many worried that it could impound water from the downstream countries whose citizens rely on the river as their sources of food and income. When Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam formed the Mekong River Commission (MRC) to cooperate on development in the basin, China did not join it. Beijing merely became a "Dialogue Partner" of the MRC from 2002. And its only tangible cooperation with the MRC is the sharing of data on water levels from its two monitoring stations on the Lancang only during the wet season.
True, the rise in the severity and frequency of drought and floods on the lower Mekong could also be partly caused by the changing climate. But the study shows that it was largely caused by China stocking up on water.
Becoming an MRC member could have forced China to be more transparent about its water use and share all information on its water levels. China must have been aware that it would mean opening a Pandora's box. So it established the so-called Mekong-Lancang Cooperation, an alternative platform which it can control and manipulate.
Given that it has expanded its trade and geopolitical power in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia, China should have treated these countries as its partners and friends by starting to tell them exactly how much water it has been impounding and discharging from the mighty Mekong.
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!
Re: Thailand Drought 2019-20
Storms help to replenish empty dams
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... empty-dams
Tropical storm downpours have filled up water in empty dams across the country, the head of the nation's water resources department said on Friday.
Somkiat Prajamwong, secretary-general of the Office of National Water Resources and deputy director of the National Water Command, said heavy rain in recent days has added 583 million cubic metres (m³) of water to dams across the country.
He said the rainfall from March 1 to April 14 has added 241 million m³ to dams in the South, 132 million m³ to those in the North, 98 million m³ in the West and 82 million m³ in the Northeast. As a result, Bhumibol Dam, Sirikit Dam and Ubol Ratana Dam are now at 34%, 40% and 15% of their capacities while it is likely that more rainfall will fill the dams until June 30.
Meanwhile, he said, the increased water flow caused by the rains has led to an intrusion of seawater at pumping stations in Pathum Thani which may result in drinking water tasting salty for the time being. Water is currently being released from Rama VI Dam in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya to alleviate the problem, he said.
Despite the summer storms, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation on Friday reported that 24 provinces are still suffering drought.....
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... empty-dams
Tropical storm downpours have filled up water in empty dams across the country, the head of the nation's water resources department said on Friday.
Somkiat Prajamwong, secretary-general of the Office of National Water Resources and deputy director of the National Water Command, said heavy rain in recent days has added 583 million cubic metres (m³) of water to dams across the country.
He said the rainfall from March 1 to April 14 has added 241 million m³ to dams in the South, 132 million m³ to those in the North, 98 million m³ in the West and 82 million m³ in the Northeast. As a result, Bhumibol Dam, Sirikit Dam and Ubol Ratana Dam are now at 34%, 40% and 15% of their capacities while it is likely that more rainfall will fill the dams until June 30.
Meanwhile, he said, the increased water flow caused by the rains has led to an intrusion of seawater at pumping stations in Pathum Thani which may result in drinking water tasting salty for the time being. Water is currently being released from Rama VI Dam in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya to alleviate the problem, he said.
Despite the summer storms, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation on Friday reported that 24 provinces are still suffering drought.....
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Re: Thailand Drought 2019-20
While foreign press criticized Chinese dams for our drought problems, Thai language media praised Beijing’s help
This month, English-language media both in Thailand and abroad revealed studies which showed that Chinese dams in the Upper Mekong was causing drought and other environmental and ecological problems downstream.
We wrote, “one of the worst droughts in the last 40 years in Thailand has been exacerbated by the Chinese government which has been intentionally holding water in its Mekong river dams, a new study says.”
Reuters and the New York Times also did stories.
The issues raised by the study is interesting and myriad, not least of which is how to approach such a diplomatic conundrum and what route Thailand must take to protect its people, their livelihoods and our environment.
But while the study calcified theories put forth by many analysts, it is hardly a new idea.
Reporting by outlets like Reuters, as recently as late last year, have hypothesized that upstream dams in China have contributed to drought conditions in Thailand and our neighbours.
Thai Media
Thai media however share none of these critiques or concerns, ready instead to praise the Prayut administration and their partners in Beijing.
The Daily News wrote in its coverage in January:
“China has decided to help Thailand after the Prime Minister sent Don [Pramudwinai, Foreign Minister] to China to talk about drought in the Mekong.
The Nation wrote in March:
“China releases more water to help Thailand combat drought”
While Manager Online wrote in February:
“Good News! China will release water from its dams to help Thailand and its neighbours fight drought.
Contradicting the truth
These headlines, while laughable, do a disservice to their readers for two reasons.
First, not only has the drought not gotten better in Thailand since the start of the year, it has actually gotten worse. The drought in North East Thailand is the worst the country has seen in nearly 40 years and its economic impact cannot be underestimated.
Secondly, this pro-Beijing line by the Thai media comes at a time when our relationship with China must be scrutinized more than ever. China’s role in the spread of coronavirus both in its suppression of the World Health Organization and its lack of reporting in the early stages of the outbreak means that in regards to Beijing trust must be earned and not given.
Yet the Thai pro-establishment media seem incapable of critically assessing Beijing.
This begs the question whether Chinese soft power has completely taken over our media sector.
https://www.thaienquirer.com/12030/whil ... heir-help/
One can only suspect how far Cha Cha Cha's lingua has penetrated into China's anal sphincter
This month, English-language media both in Thailand and abroad revealed studies which showed that Chinese dams in the Upper Mekong was causing drought and other environmental and ecological problems downstream.
We wrote, “one of the worst droughts in the last 40 years in Thailand has been exacerbated by the Chinese government which has been intentionally holding water in its Mekong river dams, a new study says.”
Reuters and the New York Times also did stories.
The issues raised by the study is interesting and myriad, not least of which is how to approach such a diplomatic conundrum and what route Thailand must take to protect its people, their livelihoods and our environment.
But while the study calcified theories put forth by many analysts, it is hardly a new idea.
Reporting by outlets like Reuters, as recently as late last year, have hypothesized that upstream dams in China have contributed to drought conditions in Thailand and our neighbours.
Thai Media
Thai media however share none of these critiques or concerns, ready instead to praise the Prayut administration and their partners in Beijing.
The Daily News wrote in its coverage in January:
“China has decided to help Thailand after the Prime Minister sent Don [Pramudwinai, Foreign Minister] to China to talk about drought in the Mekong.
The Nation wrote in March:
“China releases more water to help Thailand combat drought”
While Manager Online wrote in February:
“Good News! China will release water from its dams to help Thailand and its neighbours fight drought.
Contradicting the truth
These headlines, while laughable, do a disservice to their readers for two reasons.
First, not only has the drought not gotten better in Thailand since the start of the year, it has actually gotten worse. The drought in North East Thailand is the worst the country has seen in nearly 40 years and its economic impact cannot be underestimated.
Secondly, this pro-Beijing line by the Thai media comes at a time when our relationship with China must be scrutinized more than ever. China’s role in the spread of coronavirus both in its suppression of the World Health Organization and its lack of reporting in the early stages of the outbreak means that in regards to Beijing trust must be earned and not given.
Yet the Thai pro-establishment media seem incapable of critically assessing Beijing.
This begs the question whether Chinese soft power has completely taken over our media sector.
https://www.thaienquirer.com/12030/whil ... heir-help/
One can only suspect how far Cha Cha Cha's lingua has penetrated into China's anal sphincter
“Never argue with an idiot. They will only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.”
― George Carlin
“The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it.” -George Orwell.
― George Carlin
“The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it.” -George Orwell.
Re: Thailand Droughts Thread
Our water has been off all week down here in the boonies because they've bodged new piping and the local reservoirs are dry.
Only in Thailand - a place where it rains for seven months of the year runs out of water after four months of dry.
Naturally, the price gougers and profiteers are now hiking the price of water due to demand from residents that have none.
What gets me is that everyone KNOWS in advance these two years are El Niño with rain and water shortages, yet nothing is done until after the fact. Thailand - the land of doing everything backwards.
Only in Thailand - a place where it rains for seven months of the year runs out of water after four months of dry.
Naturally, the price gougers and profiteers are now hiking the price of water due to demand from residents that have none.
What gets me is that everyone KNOWS in advance these two years are El Niño with rain and water shortages, yet nothing is done until after the fact. Thailand - the land of doing everything backwards.
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Re: Thailand Droughts Thread
Not sure where to put this? Related posts are in the weather thread, but maybe we need a Hua Hin drought thread?
It was mentioned in the weather thread that the water levels at Pranburu Dam had never been so low. So I drove out there earlier to have a look. For me, the water levels are at an unimaginable level. I personally, have never seen it even close to being as low as this. I'm going to arrange for another water tank to be fitted, as we are diretly served by Pranburi Dam.
Edit. An older pic for comparison.
It was mentioned in the weather thread that the water levels at Pranburu Dam had never been so low. So I drove out there earlier to have a look. For me, the water levels are at an unimaginable level. I personally, have never seen it even close to being as low as this. I'm going to arrange for another water tank to be fitted, as we are diretly served by Pranburi Dam.
Edit. An older pic for comparison.
Talk is cheap